Gates, of course, was never the problem

ARTICLE: Gates: U.S. Should Engage Iran With Incentives, Pressure, By Karen DeYoung, Washington Post, May 15, 2008; Page A04

But with Fallon gone, he is forced to step up similarly.

(Thanks: Jarrod Myrick)

Comments

[Bill C.]

I have always thought of Adm. Fallon -- re: not only Iran but also China -- as a loyal Bush administration hawk/wolf in independent thinker/dissenter sheeps clothing, to wit: in the classic disarming "role" of the good cop.

The administration, however, overplayed this hand -- allowing Adm. Fallon to become so convincing that he became "the man between war and peace." Thus, Adm. Fallon had to leave because the administration overplayed this otherwise excellent hand.

I think it may be more difficult for Sec. Gates, being so close to the flag pole, to achieve what Adm. Fallon could have -- if only this tactic had been applied with more subtley.

[Louis Heberlein]

It will probably be a long time before we understand the roles played by Fallon and Gates in the Bush administration, but I don't think they are bad actors.